New! - The Muse is In

    Last month . you were introduced to the first modern day muse in a series of nine (plus a bodyguard). You met Aha-phrodite, the Modern day Muse of Paying Attention and Possibilities. Her powers were designed to help you pay attention to the inspirations and blessings in each existing moment, to think in terms of possibilities rather than worry so you can create joy rather than fear.
    The next upgraded Muse at your creative disposal is Albert, http://www.creativity-portal.com/bc/jill.badonsky/albert.html, the Muse of Innovation and Imagination.
Here's how the Muses decided on Albert:
To get into the spirit of this Muse, rules and protocols were broken.  Thus, this Muse is a male instead of a female.  AND not only that, a mortal named Albert Einstein inspired the selection of this Muse in a realm where Muses usually inspire mortals.  The Muses giggled at this disobedient gesture of pure genius, and then I can't remember which one, but one of them said "Well, we've got to throw in some surprises or else the mortal mind will stall in the obvious when it could be cruising in the miraculous."  Albert inspires mortals to see with new eyes so that their world can be construed in a much different way, a way that serves their creative dreams.
~From The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard): 10 Guides to Creative Inspiration by Jill Badonsky
Break the Rules. Albert Einstein was told that his work on relativity was not possible. Has anyone doubted something you wanted to do? Break their rules and decide for yourself how to do something. Muse Albert says, if it's not a rule about safety or morals break it in order to live your creative dream, make it up as you go along, commit yourself. You will inspire others to do the same.
    Have you ever not done anything because you didn't think you knew how? Pam Grout author of Art and Soul has written two plays, a TV series, and 11 books but she didn't know how.She just did it anyway. You've heard of Michael Caine, haven't you? He broke the rules of being an actor. he didn't take one acting lesson. He just watched people and started practicing doing what they did. Where have you given up because you didn't think you were doing it "right?" Make up your own definition of right and know that in the world of creative thinking there is more than one right answer. There's more than one right answer to planting a garden, writing a novel, scrapbooking, running your business, parenting . to being who you are. Which answer energizes your spirit the most?
    Seeing Differently. Albert also gives us tools to see our world differently. He helps us see through a new imaginative lens. When you have a challenge in your life, imagine trying on the personality of someone who is fearless, decisive and filled with grace. What would she say? What would Oprah say? Or Eleanor Roosevelt, Audrey Hepburn or even a strong character from a work of fiction or a movie?  What decision would you make if you thought like you imagined these women think?
    This concept can also turn dull writing into irresistible prose, a relationship suffering from routine into one rich with novelty, or an unexciting business plan to one thriving in distinction. Try on a new attitude.
Here's an example of seeing the full moon differently by applying a new lens to the full moon:
Irritable:
Could Someone PLEASE turn the moon off?
Hard of Hearing:
Huh? Cool tune?
Thoughtful:
I'll just have a crescent, you take the full one.
Imaginative:
The moon punched a hole in the sky.
Teenager:
Who cares, turn up the radio, dude.
Error prone:
The moon is an oval this evening.
Stephen Colbert:
Nation, because you are so important I have made the moon full for you.
To See Differently Ask What if?
. What if this lapse in the economy made you think differently about what's important? What if you finally realized how much you already have?
. What if you acted from your courageous side rather than your scared side? What if you believed in your dreams?
. What if almost every loss you've had saved you from something worse?
. What if you said "no" to the things that don't serve you and "yes" to your creative call? What if doing that made you better for everyone and everything around you?
. What if engaging in something creative made you love life more even if you weren't perfect?
    This notion may take some time and practice to adopt, so imagine opening to its possibility just 5% more this week. Practice thinking differently this month.
Jill Badonsky is an artist, workshop leader, creativity coach, author of The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard).  She  runs an on-line and on-the-phone Inner Circle on Wellness/Weight Loss called Body Blissmas (and a Happy New Rear) www.2bodyblissmas.com    Jill's second book, The Awe-manac: A Daily Dose of Wonder is due out December 11, 2008. Sign up for a free monthly teleconference with Jill at www.kaizenmuse.com. Visit www.themuseisin.com for a new on-line newsletter.